Illinois Federation of Teachers
@iftaft.bsky.social
The IFT represents 103,000 teachers and PSRPs, faculty and staff at community colleges and universities, public employees, and retirees throughout Illinois.
Today is National Voter Registration Day! Your vote is your voice in the classroom and beyond so make sure you are registered. 🗳️
But, if life gets busy, remember: in Illinois you can register in-person right up to and even on Election Day, November 3.
📍 ift-aft.org/vote
But, if life gets busy, remember: in Illinois you can register in-person right up to and even on Election Day, November 3.
📍 ift-aft.org/vote
September 15, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Today is National Voter Registration Day! Your vote is your voice in the classroom and beyond so make sure you are registered. 🗳️
But, if life gets busy, remember: in Illinois you can register in-person right up to and even on Election Day, November 3.
📍 ift-aft.org/vote
But, if life gets busy, remember: in Illinois you can register in-person right up to and even on Election Day, November 3.
📍 ift-aft.org/vote
Hispanic Heritage Month begins today. IFT honors the generations of Hispanic and Latino workers who have shaped public education and the labor movement in Illinois. We recommit to fighting alongside our Hispanic and Latino members for equity in every school.
September 15, 2026 at 12:31 PM
Hispanic Heritage Month begins today. IFT honors the generations of Hispanic and Latino workers who have shaped public education and the labor movement in Illinois. We recommit to fighting alongside our Hispanic and Latino members for equity in every school.
75% of Illinois students are now in critically underfunded schools, up from 70% last year. That means crumbling buildings, larger classes, and fewer support services for kids who deserve better.
Has underfunding hit your classroom? Tell us in the comments. 👇
Has underfunding hit your classroom? Tell us in the comments. 👇
September 11, 2026 at 12:30 PM
75% of Illinois students are now in critically underfunded schools, up from 70% last year. That means crumbling buildings, larger classes, and fewer support services for kids who deserve better.
Has underfunding hit your classroom? Tell us in the comments. 👇
Has underfunding hit your classroom? Tell us in the comments. 👇
"Name racism when we see it. Confront it. Address it head-on." — IFT President Stacy Davis Gates
Read the full statement: 🔗 in bio
Read the full statement: 🔗 in bio
September 10, 2026 at 2:05 PM
"Name racism when we see it. Confront it. Address it head-on." — IFT President Stacy Davis Gates
Read the full statement: 🔗 in bio
Read the full statement: 🔗 in bio
"This isn't tax policy. It is coercion." IFT President Stacy Davis Gates responds to Trump's proposal targeting the tax-exempt status of colleges with equity programs for students of color. Full statement at ift-aft.org.
September 3, 2026 at 11:53 PM
"This isn't tax policy. It is coercion." IFT President Stacy Davis Gates responds to Trump's proposal targeting the tax-exempt status of colleges with equity programs for students of color. Full statement at ift-aft.org.
Illinois promised its kids a fair shot at a good education, no matter their zip code. Nearly 8 years later, that promise is still unfunded and West Frankfort schools are feeling it. Hear from one of our members on what Evidence-Based Funding was supposed to do and why lawmakers keep falling short.
September 1, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Illinois promised its kids a fair shot at a good education, no matter their zip code. Nearly 8 years later, that promise is still unfunded and West Frankfort schools are feeling it. Hear from one of our members on what Evidence-Based Funding was supposed to do and why lawmakers keep falling short.
Congrats to Dr. Troy Swanson — IFT Executive Board member, now 2026 Illinois Academic Librarian of the Year. 🎉 His work defending human expertise in the classroom is paying off statewide.
August 28, 2026 at 11:31 PM
Congrats to Dr. Troy Swanson — IFT Executive Board member, now 2026 Illinois Academic Librarian of the Year. 🎉 His work defending human expertise in the classroom is paying off statewide.
Welcome back to the classroom! 🍎 Level up your teaching this fall — save 25% on select Quest Center PD courses with code WELCOMEBACK25. Offer ends 9/1, so don't wait. Full catalog ➡️ https://bit.ly/4wPKHMQ
August 28, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Welcome back to the classroom! 🍎 Level up your teaching this fall — save 25% on select Quest Center PD courses with code WELCOMEBACK25. Offer ends 9/1, so don't wait. Full catalog ➡️ https://bit.ly/4wPKHMQ
$768 million. One settlement. A funding crisis lawmakers say they can't solve. IFT President Stacy Davis Gates says Illinois just found the answer — swipe to see her response, then read the full statement on www.ift-aft.org.
August 27, 2026 at 2:32 PM
$768 million. One settlement. A funding crisis lawmakers say they can't solve. IFT President Stacy Davis Gates says Illinois just found the answer — swipe to see her response, then read the full statement on www.ift-aft.org.
This isn't just a Belleville story — it's happening in districts across Illinois. Our Exec VP breaks down the real cost of the state's broken funding promise.📚➡️ https://bit.ly/4bQRdeA
August 15, 2026 at 2:40 PM
This isn't just a Belleville story — it's happening in districts across Illinois. Our Exec VP breaks down the real cost of the state's broken funding promise.📚➡️ https://bit.ly/4bQRdeA
Nearly 25,000 undocumented students in Illinois just lost access to in-state tuition and financial aid after a federal court ruling. IFT is demanding immediate action to protect college access.
➡️ https://bit.ly/4g61pkz
➡️ https://bit.ly/4g61pkz
August 13, 2026 at 7:07 PM
Nearly 25,000 undocumented students in Illinois just lost access to in-state tuition and financial aid after a federal court ruling. IFT is demanding immediate action to protect college access.
➡️ https://bit.ly/4g61pkz
➡️ https://bit.ly/4g61pkz
Illinois students can't wait. We are urging state leaders to ACT NOW on school funding.
Full story: https://bit.ly/4wuudtt
Full story: https://bit.ly/4wuudtt
August 12, 2026 at 11:17 PM
Illinois students can't wait. We are urging state leaders to ACT NOW on school funding.
Full story: https://bit.ly/4wuudtt
Full story: https://bit.ly/4wuudtt
Did you know you can apply for a Vote By Mail Ballot? No excuse necessary. Apply today and skip the line on November 3rd. 🗳️
August 11, 2026 at 3:11 PM
Did you know you can apply for a Vote By Mail Ballot? No excuse necessary. Apply today and skip the line on November 3rd. 🗳️
A child entering kindergarten today will graduate from a high school that is still underfunded." — IFT President Stacy Davis Gates on today's EBF report, which shows Illinois losing ground on its legal duty to fund schools by 2027. 📘➡️ https://bit.ly/4q6iIqq
August 7, 2026 at 8:37 PM
A child entering kindergarten today will graduate from a high school that is still underfunded." — IFT President Stacy Davis Gates on today's EBF report, which shows Illinois losing ground on its legal duty to fund schools by 2027. 📘➡️ https://bit.ly/4q6iIqq
Your property taxes were collected. They just never made it to the schools.
The Cook County Treasurer is holding ~$400M that's legally owed to school districts. CPS is borrowing $220,000 a day to cover the gap. We're suing.
📖 ➡️ https://bit.ly/3TohydE
The Cook County Treasurer is holding ~$400M that's legally owed to school districts. CPS is borrowing $220,000 a day to cover the gap. We're suing.
📖 ➡️ https://bit.ly/3TohydE
July 28, 2026 at 11:15 AM
Your property taxes were collected. They just never made it to the schools.
The Cook County Treasurer is holding ~$400M that's legally owed to school districts. CPS is borrowing $220,000 a day to cover the gap. We're suing.
📖 ➡️ https://bit.ly/3TohydE
The Cook County Treasurer is holding ~$400M that's legally owed to school districts. CPS is borrowing $220,000 a day to cover the gap. We're suing.
📖 ➡️ https://bit.ly/3TohydE
Summer break doesn't mean the fight stops. ✊
Earlier this summer, IFT members packed Springfield & delivered backpacks representing everything our students & schools go without when public education isn't fully funded — books, supplies, support staff, smaller class sizes.
Earlier this summer, IFT members packed Springfield & delivered backpacks representing everything our students & schools go without when public education isn't fully funded — books, supplies, support staff, smaller class sizes.
July 16, 2026 at 6:38 PM
Summer break doesn't mean the fight stops. ✊
Earlier this summer, IFT members packed Springfield & delivered backpacks representing everything our students & schools go without when public education isn't fully funded — books, supplies, support staff, smaller class sizes.
Earlier this summer, IFT members packed Springfield & delivered backpacks representing everything our students & schools go without when public education isn't fully funded — books, supplies, support staff, smaller class sizes.
We're in D.C. and repping IFT proud! 📸
If you're at AFT Convention this week, snap your Union Selfie and show the labor movement what solidarity looks like! Post your pic and tag @iftaft — let's show the strength of 100,000+ IFT members! ✊
If you're at AFT Convention this week, snap your Union Selfie and show the labor movement what solidarity looks like! Post your pic and tag @iftaft — let's show the strength of 100,000+ IFT members! ✊
July 15, 2026 at 4:06 PM
We're in D.C. and repping IFT proud! 📸
If you're at AFT Convention this week, snap your Union Selfie and show the labor movement what solidarity looks like! Post your pic and tag @iftaft — let's show the strength of 100,000+ IFT members! ✊
If you're at AFT Convention this week, snap your Union Selfie and show the labor movement what solidarity looks like! Post your pic and tag @iftaft — let's show the strength of 100,000+ IFT members! ✊
The ideals that this country was founded upon were a starting point. 250 years later, that work of realizing them is in all of our hands.
This Independence Day, as we honor the vision that started this country, we also recognize the full history of it.
This Independence Day, as we honor the vision that started this country, we also recognize the full history of it.
July 4, 2026 at 12:57 PM
The ideals that this country was founded upon were a starting point. 250 years later, that work of realizing them is in all of our hands.
This Independence Day, as we honor the vision that started this country, we also recognize the full history of it.
This Independence Day, as we honor the vision that started this country, we also recognize the full history of it.
The future well-being of our neighbors, communities, and state depends on our ability to fund the pillars of our democracy: public education, public programs, and workers. And the path to that is sustainable revenue from taxing the ultra-wealthy and corporations.
July 3, 2026 at 3:40 PM
The future well-being of our neighbors, communities, and state depends on our ability to fund the pillars of our democracy: public education, public programs, and workers. And the path to that is sustainable revenue from taxing the ultra-wealthy and corporations.
Did you know that CTU Foundation's Quest Center Professional Learning Courses are now open to IFT members? That means affordable courses that earn PD credit - all available online.
July 2, 2026 at 6:57 PM
Did you know that CTU Foundation's Quest Center Professional Learning Courses are now open to IFT members? That means affordable courses that earn PD credit - all available online.
What if the most impactful thing we do for students is building care, consistency, and connection every single day?
July 1, 2026 at 1:25 PM
What if the most impactful thing we do for students is building care, consistency, and connection every single day?
While digital tools are now central to learning, many educators and families are questioning whether too much screen time is impacting student engagement, mental health, and academic success.
June 30, 2026 at 6:04 PM
While digital tools are now central to learning, many educators and families are questioning whether too much screen time is impacting student engagement, mental health, and academic success.
Imagine the possibilities in your school if the district was fully funded. What would that look like?
For this IFT and @ctulocal1.bsky.social member, it means more support for student learning by bringing in more bilingual staff.
For this IFT and @ctulocal1.bsky.social member, it means more support for student learning by bringing in more bilingual staff.
June 30, 2026 at 2:36 PM
Imagine the possibilities in your school if the district was fully funded. What would that look like?
For this IFT and @ctulocal1.bsky.social member, it means more support for student learning by bringing in more bilingual staff.
For this IFT and @ctulocal1.bsky.social member, it means more support for student learning by bringing in more bilingual staff.
A heat wave is bringing high temperatures to Illinois this week.
➡️ Keep cool and stay hydrated
➡️ Know the signs of heat-related illness
➡️ Check on neighbors, friends, and relatives
➡️ Keep cool and stay hydrated
➡️ Know the signs of heat-related illness
➡️ Check on neighbors, friends, and relatives
June 29, 2026 at 6:31 PM
A heat wave is bringing high temperatures to Illinois this week.
➡️ Keep cool and stay hydrated
➡️ Know the signs of heat-related illness
➡️ Check on neighbors, friends, and relatives
➡️ Keep cool and stay hydrated
➡️ Know the signs of heat-related illness
➡️ Check on neighbors, friends, and relatives
‼️IMPORTANT INFO FOR STUDENT LOAN BORROWERS‼️
Federal repayment programs are changing as of July 1 and your payments might be affected. Hundreds of thousands of borrowers in Illinois need to select a new student loan repayment plan if they don’t want to end up on a more expensive plan by default.
Federal repayment programs are changing as of July 1 and your payments might be affected. Hundreds of thousands of borrowers in Illinois need to select a new student loan repayment plan if they don’t want to end up on a more expensive plan by default.
June 29, 2026 at 1:18 PM
‼️IMPORTANT INFO FOR STUDENT LOAN BORROWERS‼️
Federal repayment programs are changing as of July 1 and your payments might be affected. Hundreds of thousands of borrowers in Illinois need to select a new student loan repayment plan if they don’t want to end up on a more expensive plan by default.
Federal repayment programs are changing as of July 1 and your payments might be affected. Hundreds of thousands of borrowers in Illinois need to select a new student loan repayment plan if they don’t want to end up on a more expensive plan by default.